The funeral, as happens when a cardinal resident in Rome dies, was celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and concluded by the Pope for the rites of the last commendatio and valedictio.

A small crowd of faithful attended the funeral ceremony, which was not streamed. Before retiring, Cardinal Law was archpriest of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

The current archbishop of Boston, Sean O’ Malley, president of the pontifical commission for the protection of minors and member of the council of nine cardinals who advise the Pope on the Roman Curia reform, reiterated his request for forgiveness to the victims of pedophile priests.